Concrete measuring and mixing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A concrete-mixing machine, detachably mounted on a standard truck frame, comprising: a water tank and chambers for storing and hauling dry-mix materials; a metering slide (FIGS. 1, 3 to 4B, 8, 12 and 12A), measuring desired amounts of cement, sand and gravel at the site of concrete use; a tumbling cylinder in which measured amounts of water are added; and a conveyor system for moving the dry-mix materials to the tumbler and the wet concrete out of the machine. One of the walls of each of the cement and sand compartments of the slide is movable for variation of the volume of the compartment, thus controlling the proportions of the dry-mix materials for concrete of varying strengths. The slide is power-reciprocated between compartment-inlet ports at the bottoms of the storage chambers and compartment-outlet openings in a relatively stationary plate below the slide, the inlets to the slide compartments being open and the compartment outlets closed in one extreme reciprocated position, and the inlets being closed while the outlets are open in the other extreme position. The amount of water used is controlled by varying the stroke of a pump. The conveyor system comprises a conveyor by which concrete materials are elevated to a point well above the truck frame - preferably, as indicated in FIG. 9, to a point above seven feet in height - for example, in pouring an 8foot-high concrete wall. The belt which moves dry-mix materials from beneath the slide and chambers is protected from excessive wear by the apertured plate between it and the heavy load of drymix materials. Preferably all the moving parts of the apparatus are driven from the truck&#39;&#39;s auxiliary transmission.

United States Patent Weeks et al.

111 3,746,313 July 17, 1973 [22] Filed:

[ 1 CONCRETE MEASURING AND MIXING APPARATUS [76] Inventors: RaymondLeland Weeks, PD Box 8, Thaxton, Miss. 38871; Alonzo Thomas Horton, PO.Box M, Greensboro, Ala. 36744 Nov. 10, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 197,292

Zimmerman 259/165 Primary ExaminerRobert W. Jenkins Attorney-AlvinEdward Moore [57] ABSTRACT A concrete-mixing machine, dctachably mountedon a standard truck frame, comprising: a water tank and chambers forstoring and hauling dry-mix materials; a

metering slide (FIGS. 1, 3 to 4B, 8, 12 and 12A), measuring desiredamounts of cement, sand and gravel at the site of concrete use; atumbling cylinder in which measured amounts of water are added; and aconveyor system for moving the dry-mix materials to the tumbler and thewet concrete out of the machine. One of the walls of each of the cementand sand compartments of the slide is movable for variation of thevolume of the compartment, thus controlling the proportions of thedry-mix materials for concrete of varying strengths. The slide ispower-reciprocated between compartmentinlet ports at the bottoms of thestorage chambers and compartment-outlet openings in a relativelystationary plate below the slide, the inlets to the slide compartmentsbeing open and the compartment outlets closed in one extremereciprocated position, and the inlets being closed while the outlets areopen in the other extreme position. The amount of water used iscontrolled by varying the stroke of a pump. The conveyor systemcomprises a conveyor by which concrete materials are elevated to a pointwell above the truck frame preferably, as indicated in FIG. 9, to apoint above seven feet in height for example, in pouring an 8-foot-highconcrete wall. The belt which moves dry-mix materials from beneath theslide and chambers is protected from excessive wear by the aperturedplate between it and the heavy load of dry-mix materials. Preferably allthe moving parts of the apparatus are driven from the trucks auxiliarytransmission.

27 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures PAIiNIEB JUL 1 7 I SHEET 10F 9 FIG. I

RAYMOND L. WEEKS,

AND, ALONZO T. HORTONY I INVENTORS,

ATTORNEY-.

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AND ALONZO T. HORTON,

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INVENTORS.

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ATTORNEY.

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PAIENIib JUL 1 1:915

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PATENIED JUL 1 7 SHEU 8 [If 9 ZIO FIG. 7

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AND, ALONZO T. HORTON,

INVEN TORS,

FIG.8

ATTORNEY.

PATENTED JUL 1 7 saw a or 9 FIG. 9

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RAYMOND L. WEEKS,

AND ALONZO T. HORTON,

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FIG. l0

ATTORNEY.

CONCRETE MEASURING AND MIXING APPARATUS The presently common, cumbersometype of concrete-mixing truck has numerous disadvantages. It can beefficiently used only in the simultaneous mixing and transport of alarge amount of ready-mixed concrete. It does not provide meteringvarious quantities of cement, aggregate and water in optionally variableproportions. If a loaded truck breaks down it is necessary to manuallyunload a large mass of concrete before it sets inside the tumbler; andwhen the contents of the tumbler are more than the amount of concreteneeded at a given site the remainder must be poured relatively quickly,often in waste. It does not pour at sufficient height to form aneight-foot-high wall. It requires a very expensive stationary batchplant for metering all the concrete materials at a high elevation.

Another known type involves a highly expensive neoprene conveyor belt,carrying the entire load of materials, that rather quickly wears outbecause of the friction between the rubber and the very heavy load ofabrasive aggregate on top of it.

In view of these facts, some objects of the present invention are toprovide a truck-transportable concretemixing apparatus in which: (I) thecement, aggregate and water are separately stored while beingtransported and are mixed at the site of pouring to supply acontrollable amount of concrete; (2) the water, cement, sand and gravelor other coarse aggregate are separately metered in controllable amountsto supply a desired amount of concrete of a desired strength; (3) theapparatus is preferably detachably mounted on a standard truck chassis,thus permitting repair of the concrete mixer while off the truck, orreplacement of worn apparatus on the truck, or its movement from adefective truck to another.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the followingspecification and attached drawings. In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational, sectional view of the apparatus on a truck,from the plane 1-1 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the assembled truck and apparatus;

FIG. 2A is a detail, sectional view from the plane 2A2A of FIG. 2,illustrating a detachable mounting of the apparatus on the truck frame;

FIG. 3 is an elevational, sectional view from the plane 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a sectional view from the plane 3A-3A of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view illustrating one of the four setsof cement and aggregate metering units;

FIG. 4A is an elevational, sectional view from the plane 4A4A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4B is an elevational, sectional view from the plane 4B4B of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4C is a fragmentary, plan, detail view showing thevolume-indicating means on a scale enlarged from that of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partly in section and partly brokenaway, from the planes 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the assembled apparatus and truck;

FIG. 7 is a detail, sectional view of the water metering device, forclarity being shown in different proportions from those of the device'sparts in FIG. 3;

pump-stroke-adjust'ing mechanism of the watermetering device;

FIG. 8 is a detail, elevational, sectional view from the plane 8-8 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a rear-end, elevational view, partly in section from the plane99 of FIG. 10, showing the optional means for high-elevation dischargeof the mixed concrete;

FIG. 10 is an elevational, sectional, fragmentary view from the planel0-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10A is a detail sectional view from the plane l0A-10A of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary top plan view illustrating one of the four setsof cement, sand and coarseaggregate metering units, this figure beingsimilar to FIG. 4, but showing addition of an optional and preferredslide which at the will of the operator may be adjusted to block off thecoarse aggregate from entering into the mix;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the metering-slide assembly, showing thecoarse-aggregate-blocking slide as in the process of closing off thedischarge openings of compartments 30; and

FIG. 12A is a detail view in section from the plane 12A-12A of FIG. 12,having the blocking slide in coarse-aggregate-blocking position.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, 8 and 9, the inventedapparatus comprises: a cement storage chamber 1; a sand storage chamber2, a chamber 3 for storage of gravel, crushed stone or other coarseaggregate; a water tank 4 (which optionally may also contain anantifreeze material, for instance calcium chloride, when the machine isoperated under cold conditions); an agitator in the sand compartmentcomprising a rotating shaft 5 and tines 6 which are staggered on theshaft and spaced along its length; an agitator in the cement that issimilar to the sand agitator but has shorter tines, 7, fixedto rotaryshaft 8; a chain-and-sprocket drive 9 for rotating the shaft 5;reduction gearing 10, which drives five secondary power-transmittingunits; a power-input shaft 12, connectible at will to any power source,preferably to the trucks auxiliary transmission or power-take-off unit;a chain-and-sprocket drive for the cement-agitator shaft 8, of whichonly the sprocket 14, fixed to shaft 5, is illustrated in FIG. 3; ameteringslide assembly 16, comprising a planar cover or top 18 havingfour spaced holes, 20, for free passage of sand into the fourvariable-volume sand-measuring compartments 22, four spaced holes 24,smaller than 20, for

v passage of cement into the four variable-volume eement-meteringcompartments 26 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 3A), and four spacedopenings 28 for passage of coarse aggregate into four fixed-volumecoarse-aggregate compartments 30; a dry-mix-material retaining plate 32,which is fixed to and supported by the tubular beam 34, the attachedupright tubular column 36 and the attached apparatus frame 38, and has12 dry-materials-discharge ports 40, one of which is beneath each of theabove-described metering compartments when the metering slide is in itsdischarge position; a main conveyor assembly 42, conveying the drymixmaterials forward of the compartments; a crossfeed conveyor, 44, forreception of materials from conveyor 42 and transferring them to a sideof the apparatus; a trough 46; an elevator 48; a hopper 50, into whichthe dry-mix materials fall from the elevator; a he- DEVICE FOR METERINGTHE DRY-MIX MATERIALS The device 16 provided for varying the ratio ofthe cement and aggregates for concrete of a desired stregnth comprisesseparately controllable means in each of the sand and cementcompartments 22 and 26 for varying the volume in these compartments,thus controlling at will the proportions of the amounts of sand andcement to the total amount of dry mix utilized. Only the volumes of sandand cement are thus variable with respect to a constant amount of thegravel, crushed stone or other coarse aggregate in the fixed-volumecompartment 30. The volume of sand used (exampling also the volume ofthe cement compartment 26) is controlled by means of the adjustable rearwall 59 which together with the fixed side walls 69 and an adjacentportion of the retaining plate 32 forms a compartment for retaining thesand during its measurement. The flange 62, fixed to the movable wall59, prevents sand (or cement) from falling into the space between 59 andthe support wall 64, which provides a bearing for the shaft 66 and alsoa support for the fixed flange 68 which is fixed to it. This fixedflange provides a bearing and support for the movable elements 62, 59and 66. Unless the compartment (for the sand or cement) is expanded intoits maximum volume there is a gap 70 between the movable flange and anedge of the top plate 18. Sand (or cement) is prevented from fallinginto this gap by the flange 68, which is of sufficient fore-and-aftlength to block off the gap 70 in all positions of 59 and 62.

The volume of each of the four sand-measuring compartments 22 isadjusted by reciprocation of the shaft 66. This shaft is rotated by thehandwheel 72, thus turn ing the screwthreaded shaft portion 74 in thethreaded hole in the plate 76, this plate being welded to an end part ofthe frame 78 of the metering-slide assembly. This rotationsimultaneously reciprocates the shaft 66 and all four of the movablesand-compartment walls 59, which are rotatably associated with andprevented from axial movement on the shaft by the bearing collars 80 and81. A similar handwheel 72 and reciprocable device adjustably controlsthe volume of cement in the cement compartments 26.

A position or volume indicating means is utilized that is calibrated, invariation for the type of coarse aggregate that is used in eachgeographic locality where the apparatus is to be operated. Thisindicating means, shown in FIGS. 4, 4A and 4C, comprises a sleeve 82,having a slot 83. This sleeve is welded to an end part of the frame 16;and thru its slot the operator may view the top of the shaft-fixedcollar 84, and the annular V- groove 85 that is formed on a lathe aroundthe collar. The calibration on the top of the sleeve 82, shown in FIG.4C, may indicate the actual volume of the four associated compartments;but preferably the numbers (exampled as l to 6) are so positioned thatby reading the number indicated on each of the indicators connected withthe sand and cement compartments and comparing these with the indicia ona placard A (FIG. 6) the opeator may determine when the proportions ofthe volumes of sand, cement and coarse aggregate are properly adjustedfor dispensing and forming concrete of a desired strength in pounds persquare inch.

In operation the entire metering-slide assembly 16 is automaticallyreciprocated back and forth on the four horizontal-axis rollers 86,which are in contact with the bottoms of the frame 78, and between thetwo pairs of vertical-axis rollers 87.

An important advantage of the invention is the fact that it optionallymay be used either for mixing and pouring coarse-aggregate concrete of adesired strength or for ready-mixing and supplying mortar to masons,plasterers and stuccoers, who usually need it in relatively smallamounts. With this machine the operator optionally may supplyready-mixed concrete, then ready-mixed mortar, and, if desired, thenanother immediate batch of concrete all from one delivered load. Thesechanges may be quickly effected by means of variations in theabove-described settings of the sand and cement proportions and byoperating the aggregate-blocking slide (88 or 89) to block ofi supply ofthe coarse aggregate from the concrete mix. As indicated in FIG. 11,this blocking slide may be an elongated solid plate that the operatormay take from the truck and slide beneath the coarse-aggregatecompartments until all their lower discharge openings are blocked. Butpreferably the blocking slide, as indicated in FIGS. 12 and 12A,comprises an elongated planar plate 89 that has ports 90. When the slideis in position for allowing discharge of the coarse aggregate each ofthese ports is in registry with one of the four bottom dischargeopenings of the compartments 30, allowing discharge of the measuredamounts of the coarse aggregate. The slide is detachably locked in thisposition by means of a cap screw or bolt 92 (or an equivalent pin),fitted in registered holes. When mortar is desired the operator removesthe screw from the registered holes 93 and 94, pulls the slide on itsbearing channel 95 outward thru its partially reciprocated positions oneof which is illustrated in FIG. 12, until it is in the position of FIG.12A, in which the discharge opening of each coarse-aggregate compartment30 is blocked off by a solid portion 96 of the slide. Then it istemporarily locked in this position by inserting the screw (or pin) inthe registered holes 93 and 97.

MEANS FOR DRIVING THE APPARATUS i and (4) the shaft 106 (FIGS. 3 and 5)which drives the sprocket 108 and the mixing assembly and (withreference to FIG. 3) drives the sprocket 110 and the connectedcross-feed conveyor 44. The fifth unit, in supplying concrete or mortarcontinually driven by the reduction gearing 10, comprises the shaft 112which reciprocates the metering-slide assembly 16 via the crank 114 andthe connecting link 116.

The cross-feed conveyor 44 comprises the roller 118, driven by thesprocket 110, and the neoprene belt 120 which rolls on the roller 122.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 5, the elevator 48 comprises: the shaft124, driven by the sprocket 108; the sprockets 126 and 127 that areinterconnected by the shaft 124 and simultaneously drive the pair ofroller chains 128; and the mix-lifting bars or paddles 130 that arefixed at regular intervals to the chains 128.

The mixing cylinder 54 and the helical conveyor 52 are driven from theshaft 124. The helical conveyor 52 is driven from the mixing cylinder bymeans of the rigidly connected spokes 132, hub 133 and shaft 134. Theconveyor 52 transfers the dry-mix materials into the mixing cylinder 54from the hopper 50 by means of the helically positioned blades 136 thatare fixed to the shaft 134.

The mixing cylinder 54 receives water via the relatively fixedwater-inlet annulus 138 in the area where the dry-mix materials enterthe mixing cylinder. I-Ielically arranged paddles 140 are fixed to theinterior surface of the cylinder, which is rotated on rollers 142 and isaxially restrained by the cylinders flanges 144 that fit in grooves inthe rollers. The cylinder is rotated by the rigidly attached sprocket146 which is driven from the shaft 124 by a sprocket and chain. Thecylinder and its paddles 140 tumble and agitate the wet materials andaxially move them into the device for supplying the wet concrete to thepoint of its use. In FIG. 5 this device is exarnpled as comprising: thetrough-like receiver 148, pivotal on the vertical-axis bearing 150; thefinal discharge chute 152, which is hingedly or otherwise pivotallymounted on 148 for varying the elevation of the discharge of theconcrete; and the shield 154 which prevents splashing of the concrete.

When the concrete is to be lifted to a substantial elevation forexample, 6 to feet the concrete is elevated by the assembly of FIGS. 9,10 and 10A. This assembly comprises: the pair of sprockets 156 and 157(FIG. 10), one of which (156) surrounds the cylinder 158 and is rigidlyconnected to the other sprocket 157 by the bars 160; the pair of chains162; the planar, segmental lifting paddles 164; the pair of idlersprockets 166; the neoprene chute 168; the metallic upper shield 170;the curved cover 172, hinged to permit cleaning the inside of theelevator; and the final gravity chute assembly which comprises thereceiving hopper 174, and the apertured universal coupling having theverticalaxis swiveling base 176 and the horizontal-axis pivotal troughor channel 178. The final gravity chute assembly is shown in FIG. 9 inits hauled position. In use it is universally pivoted into position forpouring the concrete into its location of use, for example, into a formwhich may be open either at a high elevation or in a low position whichfor instance may be a pavement form. In FIG. 9 only one segment of thefinal concreteconveying channel is shown, but other segments of knowntype preferably are transported on the truck, and these may be fixed tothe illustrated segment by means of the known type of attachments forsuch segments.

WATER METERING AND SUPPLY DEVICE The amount of water used in makingconcrete, mortar or plaster needs to be varied because of varyingwetness or dampness of the aggregate and varying volumes and proportionsof the cement and aggregate. Therefore, the invention comprises meansfor controlling the quantity of water at the will of the operator. Thismeans comprises: the water storage tank 4; the pump-inlet pipe 180; avariable-stroke pump assembly, 182; the pipe 184 that connects the pumpand the water-inlet annulus 138, and thus supplies water to the mixingcylinder 54 of FIG. 5.

The pump is illustrated as of the diaphragm type. It comprises: a disk186 that is power-reciprocated; a rod 188, connected to the disk; adiaphragm assembly 190, connected to the rod 188; a spring 192 forreturning the diaphragm after each upward stroke of the rod and disk;and reciprocating means for actuating said disk and rod comprising thepush rod 194, the connecting rod 196, and the crank 198 that is drivenfrom a gear in the reduction gearing 10.

The means for varying the stroke of the pump determines the volume ofwater supplied during each cycle of the pumps operation and iscontrolled by the opera tor to determine the desired wetness of theconcrete. The operator thus may observe this wetness as the concrete isdispensed from the machine and gradually either increase or decrease thepumps stroke until the concrete is of the desired viscosity. Such changemay be made at any time during the formation of concrete from the drymaterials in the main storage chambers.

Thus from one load of said materials very wet concrete can be poured atone location, and drier concrete at another.

This stroke-varying means comprises: a fixed-length support rod 200; aspring-restraining link 202 that limits and controls the return strokeof the spring 192; a hydraulic slave cylinder, 204, and the piston rod206; hydraulic lines 208 and 209, one leading to each end of thecylinder 204; a master-cylinder hydraulic assembly comprising piston rod210; a hand lever 212 by which the rod 210 and its associated piston maybe adjusted to any desired position; and means for locking these pistonsand piston rods in their desired positions. With reference to FIGS. 7Aand 6, this locking means comprises a normally spring closedsolenoid-controlled valve 214, which the operator opens by closing theswitch 216 (FIG. 6) before altering the pump stroke; and after adjustingthe position of the slave-cylinder piston 218 by the hydraulic linkagethis valve is closed by the spring, in locking position, after theoperator opens the switch 216.

OPERATION The operation of the invented machine takes place in thefollowing sequence of steps: l The storage chambers 1, 2, 3 and 4 arefilled with the concrete materials. (2) At the place for supplyingconcrete a clutch is released, beginning supply of power to the rotaryshaft 12 (FIG. 3). (3) This rotary shaft sets into motion all the gearsof the reduction gearing 10 except the one that drives the rotary shaft112. (4) Four of the abovedescribed five secondary power-transmittingunits are simultaneously driven from 10, thus operating the agitatorshafts, the main conveyor assembly, the crossfeed conveyor, theelevating conveyor assembly 48, the helical conveyor 52 and mixingcylinder 54, and the water pump assembly (and the elevating conveyorassembly 58 when the concrete is to be applied at a high location). (5)The switch 220 (FIG. 6) is closed, thus opening a solenoid-controlledpneumatic valve that controls the pneumatic cylinder 222 to engage aclutch in the reduction-gearing box, thus beginning rotation of theshaft 112. (If desired, steps (4) and (5) may be simultaneous.) (6) Thecrank 114 and link 116 reciprocate the metering-slide assembly. (In itsextreme rearward position in each cycle the three sets of four measuringcompartments each are under and open to the discharge ports 20 of thethree storage chambers, while the discharge ports 40 in thedry-mix-material retaining plate are closed, thus closing the outlets ofthe measuring compartments; and in the opposite, extreme forwardposition of the slide, the measuring compartments have moved from underthe ports 20 and into positions over the discharge ports 40.) (7) Thematerials are discharged onto the main conveyor assembly 42, which movesthem forward and discharges onto the cross-feed conveyor 44. (8) Theconveyor 44 moves the materials into the trough 46 (FIG. 8). (9) Thematerials are lifted by the conveyor 48 and discharged into the hopper50. (l) The conveyor 52 (FIG. moves the materials into the mixingcylinder 158 (FIGS. 5 and 10). (ll) The cylinder assembly 54 mixes thedry materials with water, tumbles them and moves them rearward and ontothe device for supplying the concrete to the point of its use (the chute56 or the elevator 58).

The operator may disengage the clutch from the power source by actuatinga solenoid-controlled pneumatic valve via the switch 224; or, inemergency, he may shut off the engine's ignition by actuating the switch226.

In the claims, unless otherwise qualified, the word concrete meansmaterial that has coalesced or is capable of coalescing into a mass,comprising aggregate and cement of any kind, for example, wet concreteof Portland cement and sand and gravel, or mortar, or plaster; the wordaggregate signifies particles or roundish or fragmented portions ofsolid matter; and

cement means Portland cement, or lime, or a mixture of Portland cementand lime, or plastic cement.

l claim:

1. A device for mixing measured amounts of concrete, comprising:

a plurality of chambers in fixed relation to each other, for storage ofcement and aggregate materials, each chamber having a discharge port atits bottom;

a metering-slide assembly below said chambers, having amaterials-measuring slide, comprising: at least one materials-measuringcompartment associated with each of the said chambers; means forsupporting said slide for reciprocating movement; and means forreciprocating the slide; relatively stationary, apertured plate beneathsaid slide, having solid portions that close the bottom of each of saidcompartments in one extreme position of the reciprocable slide, andhaving openings, one of which is beneath each of said compartments inthe opposite extreme position of the slide; each of the saidcompartments of the slide in said firstnamed extreme position beingbelow one of said discharge ports; means for mixing the measuredmaterials from said compartments and adding water to them; and means formoving the wet concrete out of said mixing means.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, comprising means for varying thevolume of at least one of said measuring compartments.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1, in which said compartments compriseside walls, at least one of which is movable to adjust the volume of itscompartment.

4. A device as set forth in claim 1, in which said cement is calcareous,and the device comprises means for supplying measured amounts of waterto the said means for mixing the materials.

5. A device as set forth in claim 4 in which: said wator-supplying meanscomprises a variable-stroke pump; and the device comprises means forsimultaneous actuation of the said pump and said means for reciprocatingthe slide in predetermined relation of their speeds.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5, in which saidsimultaneous-actuation means comprises reduction gearing.

7. A device for mixing concrete, comprising:

a plurality of chambers, in. fixed relation to each other, for storageof cement and aggregate materials, each chamber having a discharge portat its bottom;

a device for tumbling and mixing said materials;

reciprocable means for alternately opening and closing said ports,allowing gravity discharge of the cement and aggregate materials;

means comprising a conveyor belt, positioned below said chambers, fortransferring said gravitydischarged materials to said tumbling device;

means, between the said conveyor belt and the said discharge ports andbottoms of said chambers, comprising an apertured plate, for preventinga heavy load in said chambers from bearing on and causing excessive wearof said belt; and

power means for driving said reciprocable means,

tumbling means and conveyor belt.

8. A device as set forth in claim 7, in which said means between theconveyor belt and said discharge ports comprises a reciprocating slide,adapted to open said discharge ports in one extreme position of itsreciprocation and to open said ports in the other extreme position ofits reciprocation.

9. A device as set forth in claim 7, in which: said slide comprisescompartments for measuring volumes of said materials; the said aperturedplate is fixed relative to said slide; and the said materials, aftermeasurement, being discharged thru openings in said apertured plate ontosaid belt.

10. A device as set forth in claim 9, comprising means for varying theproportions of the volumes of said materials that exit from said slideduring each of its reciprocations.

11. A device as set forth in claim 10, in which said proportions-varyingmeans comprises at least one movable wall in one of said compartments.

12. A device as set forth in claim 7, in which said cement iscalcareous, comprising means for supplying measured amounts of water tothe said means for mixing the materials.

13. A device as set forth in claim 12, in which said water-supplyingmeans comprises a variable-stroke pump.

14. A device for mixing and dispensing concrete, comprising:

a plurality of chambers for storage of cement and aggregate materials;

at least one measuring compartment associated with each of saidchambers, for receiving and temporarily holding a measured quantity ofone of said materials, having a volume that is substantially less thanthat of its larger associated chamber, having a closable inlet connectedwith its said associated chamber, and having a closable outlet forgravityinfluenced discharge of said measured quantity of one of saidmaterials; at least one of said compartments comprising means forvarying its volume;

means for closing each of said inlets after entry of said measurablequantity of materials and for opening each of said outlets for gravitydischarge of one of the measured amounts of materials;

means for mixing said measured amounts of materials; and

means for moving the mixed amounts of said materials out of said device.

15. A device as set forth in claim 14, comprising means for controllablyvarying the volume of each of two said compartments.

16. A device as set forth in claim 14, in which said volume-varyingmeans comprises a compartment side wall, movable from a positionproviding larger compartment volume to a position providing a smallercompartment volume.

17. A device for mixing and dispensing concrete, comprising:

a plurality of chambers for storage of cement and aggregate materials;

a reciprocable slide having side walls and openings in its bottom,comprising at least one measuring compartment associated with each ofsaid chambers, for receiving and temporarily holding a measured quantityof one of said materials, having a volume that is substantially lessthan that of its larger associated chamber, having a closable inletconnected with its said associated chamber, and having a closable outletfor gravity-influenced discharge of said measured quantity of one ofsaid materials;

a materials-retaining plate, below said side walls;

means for closing one of said inlets after entry of said measurablequantity of materials and for opening each of said outlets for gravitydischarge of one of the measured amounts of materials; the said inletsbeing ports between said chambers and said compartments in one of theextreme reciprocated positions of said slide, and the said closableoutlets comprising openings in the said materials-retaining plate;

means for mixing said measured amounts of materials; and

means for moving the mixed amounts of said materials out of said device.

18. A device as set forth in claim 17 in which said slide is rack-likeand each of the said openings at its bottom has a cross-sectional areaat least as large as that of the space between bottom edges of the saidside walls.

19. A device as set forth in claim 17, in which the said cementcomprises Portland cement, and the said slide comprises a plurality ofsaid compartments for measuring aggregate; all the compartments being infixed relation to each other; and each having said side walls, inlet andoutlet.

20. A device as set forth in claim 19, in which said compartments formeasuring aggregate comprise at least one for measuring fine aggregateand at least one for ineasuring coarse aggregate; and the said devicecomprises means for blocking the outlet of saidcoarseaggregate-measuring compartment, thus blocking entry of coarseaggregate into the mixture of materials.

21. A device for mixing and dispensing concrete,

comprising:

a plurality of chambers for storage of Portland ce-- ment and aggregatematerials;

a reciprocating slide, comprising measuring compartments having sidewalls and bottom edges that are free of fixed attachment to any othermaterialsretaining member, providing spaces for outlet of materials fromthe compartments, the said slide including at least one measuringcompartment associated with each of said chambers, for receiving andtemporarily holding a measured quantity of one of said materials, havinga volume that is substantially less than that of its associated chamber,having a closable inlet connected with its said associated chamber, andhaving a closable outlet for gravity-influenced discharge of saidmeasured quantity of one of said materials; relatively stationarymaterials-retaining member, below said reciprocating slide, having portsthat come below said spaces during reciprocation of the slide;

means, connected to said slide, for closing each of said inlets afterentry of said measurable quantity of materials and for opening each ofsaid outlets for gravity discharge of one of the measured amounts ofmaterials; I

means for mixingsaid measured amounts of materials; and means for movingthe mixed amounts of saidmaterials out of said device.

22. A device for mixing and dispensing concrete,

comprising:

a plurality of chambers for storage of calcareous cement and aggregatematerials;

a slide, comprising a plurality of measuring compartments having fixedrelation to each other, at least one compartment being for measurementof a volume of fine aggregate and at least one compartment for volumemeasurement of coarse aggregate; at least one of said compartments beingassociated with each of said chambers, for receiving and temporarilyholding a measured quantity of one of said materials, having a volumethat is substantially less than that of its associated larger chamber,having a closable inlet connected with its said associated chamber, andhaving a closable outlet for gravityinfluenced discharge of saidmeasured quantity of one of said materials;

means for closing each of said inlets after entry of said measurablequantity of materials and for opening each of said outlets for gravitydischarge of one of the measured amounts of materials;

means for blocking the outlet of said coarseaggregate-measuringcompartment, thus barring entry of coarse aggregate into the mixture ofmaterials;

means for mixing said measured amounts of materials; and

means for moving the mixed amounts of said materials out of said device.

23. Apparatus for mixing cement and aggregate,

adapted to be carried by a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of juxtaposed chambers having side walls, and means forfastening said chambers to a vehicle with the said side wallsintersecting a transverse plane of the vehicle; one of the said chambersbeing adapted to store cement, another to store fine aggregate, and eachof the chambers having at least one hole in its bottom for flow ofmaterial from the chamber;

means comprising a slide below said chambers for measuring and movingmeterials, adapted for reciprocative movement relatively to thechambers, including a plurality of compartments having upper openingsthat come below said holes in one reciprocated position of the slide,receiving materials thru and from said holes; and means providing fordischarge of the materials downward from said compartments in anotherreciprocated position of the slide;

a conveyor below said slide, mounted for movement of materials at anangle to said transverse plane, receiving measured amounts of saidmaterials from said compartments and transferring them to a forwardlocation;

means for transporting and mixing said measured materials, moving themfrom said forward location to rearward location at a rear-end portion ofsaid apparatus, comprising a conveyor, adjacent to sidewall portions ofsaid chambers and slide;

liquid-supplying means, flow-connected to said transporting and mixingmeans, for supplying liquid to said measured materials; and

mixture-supplying means at said rear-end portion for receiving wet-mixmaterials from said transporting and mixing means and supplying thematerials to points of use.

24. Apparatus as set forth in claim 23, in which said liquid is water,and said mixture-supplying means comprises: a conveyor for moving saidwet-mix materials to a selected elevation having a maximum height of atleast eight feet above ground level; and a pivotal dispensing channel.

25. Apparatus as set forth in claim 23, comprising three of saidjuxtaposed chambers, one of which is adapted to store coarse aggregate.

26. Apparatus as set forth in ciaim 23, in which said liquid-supplyingmeans comprises a variable-stroke pump.

27. Apparatus as set forth in claim 23, in which said transporting andmixing means comprises a cross-feed conveyor, for receiving materials atsaid forward location and moving them transversely of the vehicle tosaid last-named conveyor.

* FF i

1. A device for mixing measured amounts of concrete, comprising: aplurality of chambers in fixed relation to each other, for storage ofcement and aggregate materials, each chamber having a discharge port atits bottom; a metering-slide assembly below said chambers, having amaterials-measuring slide, comprising: at least one materialsmeasuringcompartment associated with each of the said chambers; means forsupporting said slide for reciprocating movement; and means forreciprocating the slide; a relatively stationary, apertured platebeneath said slide, having solid portions that close the bottom of eachof said compartments in one extreme position of the reciprocable slide,and having openings, one of which is beneath each of said compartmentsin the opposite extreme position of the slide; each of the saidcompartments of the slide in said first-named extreme position beingbelow one of said discharge ports; means for mixing the measuredmaterials from said compartments and adding water to them; and means formoving the wet concrete out of said mixing means.
 2. A device as setforth in claim 1, comprising means for varying the volume of at leastone of said measuring compartments.
 3. A device as set forth in claim 1,in which said compartments comprise side walls, at least one of which ismovable to adjust the volume of its compartment.
 4. A device as setforth in claim 1, in which said cement is calcareous, and the devicecomprises means for supplying measured amounts of water to the saidmeans for mixing the materials.
 5. A device as set forth in claim 4 inwhich: said water-supplying means comprises a variable-stroke pump; andthe device comprises means for simultaneous actuation of the said pumpand said means for reciprocating the slide in predetermined relation oftheir speeds.
 6. A device as set forth in claim 5, in which saidsimultaneous-actuation means comprises reduction gearing.
 7. A devicefor mixing concrete, comprising: a plurality of chambers, in fixedrelation to each other, for storage of cement and aggregate materials,each chamber having a discharge port at its bottom; a device fortumbling and mixing said materials; reciprocable means for alternatelyopening and closing said ports, allowing gravity discharge of the cementand aggregate materials; means comprising a conveyor belt, positionedbelow said chambers, for transferring said gravity-discharged materialsto said tumbling device; means, between the said conveyor belt and thesaid discharge ports and bottoms of said chambers, comprising anapertured plate, for preventing a heavy load in said chambers frombearing on and causing excessive wear of said belt; and power means fordriving said reciprocable means, tumbling means and conveyor belt.
 8. Adevice as set forth in claim 7, in which said means berween the conveyorbelt and said discharge ports comprises a reciprocating slide, adaptedto open said discharge ports in one extreme position of itsreciprocation and to open said ports in the other extreme position ofits reciprocation.
 9. A device as set forth in claim 7, in which: saidslide comprises compartments for measuring volumes of said materials;the said apertured plate is fixed relative to said slidE; and the saidmaterials, after measurement, being discharged thru openings in saidapertured plate onto said belt.
 10. A device as set forth in claim 9,comprising means for varying the proportions of the volumes of saidmaterials that exit from said slide during each of its reciprocations.11. A device as set forth in claim 10, in which said proportions-varyingmeans comprises at least one movable wall in one of said compartments.12. A device as set forth in claim 7, in which said cement iscalcareous, comprising means for supplying measured amounts of water tothe said means for mixing the materials.
 13. A device as set forth inclaim 12, in which said water-supplying means comprises avariable-stroke pump.
 14. A device for mixing and dispensing concrete,comprising: a plurality of chambers for storage of cement and aggregatematerials; at least one measuring compartment associated with each ofsaid chambers, for receiving and temporarily holding a measured quantityof one of said materials, having a volume that is substantially lessthan that of its larger associated chamber, having a closable inletconnected with its said associated chamber, and having a closable outletfor gravity-influenced discharge of said measured quantity of one ofsaid materials; at least one of said compartments comprising means forvarying its volume; means for closing each of said inlets after entry ofsaid measurable quantity of materials and for opening each of saidoutlets for gravity discharge of one of the measured amounts ofmaterials; means for mixing said measured amounts of materials; andmeans for moving the mixed amounts of said materials out of said device.15. A device as set forth in claim 14, comprising means for controllablyvarying the volume of each of two said compartments.
 16. A device as setforth in claim 14, in which said volume-varying means comprises acompartment side wall, movable from a position providing largercompartment volume to a position providing a smaller compartment volume.17. A device for mixing and dispensing concrete, comprising: a pluralityof chambers for storage of cement and aggregate materials; areciprocable slide having side walls and openings in its bottom,comprising at least one measuring compartment associated with each ofsaid chambers, for receiving and temporarily holding a measured quantityof one of said materials, having a volume that is substantially lessthan that of its larger associated chamber, having a closable inletconnected with its said associated chamber, and having a closable outletfor gravity-influenced discharge of said measured quantity of one ofsaid materials; a materials-retaining plate, below said side walls;means for closing one of said inlets after entry of said measurablequantity of materials and for opening each of said outlets for gravitydischarge of one of the measured amounts of materials; the said inletsbeing ports between said chambers and said compartments in one of theextreme reciprocated positions of said slide, and the said closableoutlets comprising openings in the said materials-retaining plate; meansfor mixing said measured amounts of materials; and means for moving themixed amounts of said materials out of said device.
 18. A device as setforth in claim 17 in which said slide is rack-like and each of the saidopenings at its bottom has a cross-sectional area at least as large asthat of the space between bottom edges of the said side walls.
 19. Adevice as set forth in claim 17, in which the said cement comprisesPortland cement, and the said slide comprises a plurality of saidcompartments for measuring aggregate; all the compartments being infixed relation to each other; and each having said side walls, inlet andoutlet.
 20. A device as set forth in claim 19, in which saidcompartments for measuring aggregate comprise at least one for measuringfine aggregate and at least one for measuring cOarse aggregate; and thesaid device comprises means for blocking the outlet of saidcoarse-aggregate-measuring compartment, thus blocking entry of coarseaggregate into the mixture of materials.
 21. A device for mixing anddispensing concrete, comprising: a plurality of chambers for storage ofPortland cement and aggregate materials; a reciprocating slide,comprising measuring compartments having side walls and bottom edgesthat are free of fixed attachment to any other materials-retainingmember, providing spaces for outlet of materials from the compartments,the said slide including at least one measuring compartment associatedwith each of said chambers, for receiving and temporarily holding ameasured quantity of one of said materials, having a volume that issubstantially less than that of its associated chamber, having aclosable inlet connected with its said associated chamber, and having aclosable outlet for gravity-influenced discharge of said measuredquantity of one of said materials; a relatively stationarymaterials-retaining member, below said reciprocating slide, having portsthat come below said spaces during reciprocation of the slide; means,connected to said slide, for closing each of said inlets after entry ofsaid measurable quantity of materials and for opening each of saidoutlets for gravity discharge of one of the measured amounts ofmaterials; means for mixing said measured amounts of materials; andmeans for moving the mixed amounts of said materials out of said device.22. A device for mixing and dispensing concrete, comprising: a pluralityof chambers for storage of calcareous cement and aggregate materials; aslide, comprising a plurality of measuring compartments having fixedrelation to each other, at least one compartment being for measurementof a volume of fine aggregate and at least one compartment for volumemeasurement of coarse aggregate; at least one of said compartments beingassociated with each of said chambers, for receiving and temporarilyholding a measured quantity of one of said materials, having a volumethat is substantially less than that of its associated larger chamber,having a closable inlet connected with its said associated chamber, andhaving a closable outlet for gravity-influenced discharge of saidmeasured quantity of one of said materials; means for closing each ofsaid inlets after entry of said measurable quantity of materials and foropening each of said outlets for gravity discharge of one of themeasured amounts of materials; means for blocking the outlet of saidcoarse-aggregate-measuring compartment, thus barring entry of coarseaggregate into the mixture of materials; means for mixing said measuredamounts of materials; and means for moving the mixed amounts of saidmaterials out of said device.
 23. Apparatus for mixing cement andaggregate, adapted to be carried by a vehicle, comprising: a pluralityof juxtaposed chambers having side walls, and means for fastening saidchambers to a vehicle with the said side walls intersecting a transverseplane of the vehicle; one of the said chambers being adapted to storecement, another to store fine aggregate, and each of the chambers havingat least one hole in its bottom for flow of material from the chamber;means comprising a slide below said chambers for measuring and movingmeterials, adapted for reciprocative movement relatively to thechambers, including a plurality of compartments having upper openingsthat come below said holes in one reciprocated position of the slide,receiving materials thru and from said holes; and means providing fordischarge of the materials downward from said compartments in anotherreciprocated position of the slide; a conveyor below said slide, mountedfor movement of materials at an angle to said transverse plane,receiving measured amounts of said materials from said compartments andtransferring them to a forward location; means for transporting aNdmixing said measured materials, moving them from said forward locationto rearward location at a rear-end portion of said apparatus, comprisinga conveyor, adjacent to sidewall portions of said chambers and slide;liquid-supplying means, flow-connected to said transporting and mixingmeans, for supplying liquid to said measured materials; andmixture-supplying means at said rear-end portion for receiving wet-mixmaterials from said transporting and mixing means and supplying thematerials to points of use.
 24. Apparatus as set forth in claim 23, inwhich said liquid is water, and said mixture-supplying means comprises:a conveyor for moving said wet-mix materials to a selected elevationhaving a maximum height of at least eight feet above ground level; and apivotal dispensing channel.
 25. Apparatus as set forth in claim 23,comprising three of said juxtaposed chambers, one of which is adapted tostore coarse aggregate.
 26. Apparatus as set forth in claim 23, in whichsaid liquid-supplying means comprises a variable-stroke pump. 27.Apparatus as set forth in claim 23, in which said transporting andmixing means comprises a cross-feed conveyor, for receiving materials atsaid forward location and moving them transversely of the vehicle tosaid last-named conveyor.